Non-Executive Directors

Most people regard the role of Non-Execs as the preserve of the corporate animal, typically a financial accountant and very often the preserve only of large companies.This however, does not have to be the case. Having an experienced and seasonal professional on your board can be a great benefit to smaller and family run businesses as well.

Re-inventing the wheel is a costly and pretty futile enterprise. Growing companies encounter ‘growing pains’ and often only have their external professional advisors to call on. Whilst solicitors and accountants can offer good general advice there is no substitute for the knowledge and experience gained by someone who has actually experienced the issues first hand.

Some of the typical issues that our non-execs get involved with are:

• Strategic help and advice with key customers.
• Helping growing companies come to grips with corporate governance issues.
• Mentoring and advice to ‘family’ board members.
• Help and advice during transition of ownership from ‘founders to managers’.
• Preparation of companies prior to sale.

Not all non-execs need to be ‘semi-retired’ or overly ‘seasoned’. Increasingly younger managers are broadening their experience by securing non-exec roles. Often refered to as a working ‘MBA’ these opportunities afford the chance for younger managers to gain valuable front line experience outside their routine ‘functional’ specialisms in an environment that is guaranteed to stimulate and stretch their general management capabilities.